Before arriving in Delaware, all I knew was that it was one of some 20-odd states I’d never stepped foot in. The small, long state, which was the country’s first, can be broken up into three counties. I visited Delaware’s Quaint Villages, or Kent County, in the middle of the state.
I imagined suburban areas, but the state is actually made up of farmland not unlike that of my home state of Georgia. The state is covered by Southern Living and has sweet tea, Waffle House, and Chick-fil-a, so it felt like home right away. The area is home to NASCAR at Dover International Speedway and an Amish community.
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In my three days in Delaware’s Quaint Villages, I met so many friendly people eager to show me around their hometowns. I drove through a number of places, but this guide will focus mostly on Smyrna, Dover, and Milford, which can easily be visited in a weekend. Perhaps I’ll come back for Firefly Music Festival, a popular event held every summer at The Woodlands in Dover.
Where to Eat
Delaware’s food culture is influenced by its surroundings, with northern dishes like scrapple (Google it!) along with seafood from the nearby coast. Delaware’s Quaint Villages are made up of many farming communities, so you can be sure that at many restaurants, the ingredients are fresh and local.
For classic Delaware fare, start at Smyrna Diner in Smyrna. Located right off bustling DuPont Highway, this diner has the counter seats and décor of yesteryear. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a weekend buffet. The menu includes daily specials, including the crab cake sandwich, which I had.
US 13 Grill in Dover is where I first sampled scrapple, a dish native to the area that is made up of pork trimmings combined with flour into a patty, then griddled.
Grey Fox Grille and Public House in Dover is another local favorite, set in a historic home in the heart of the capital. The watering hole has salads, sandwiches, burgers, and hearty entrees like the tasty BLT I enjoyed.
There’s also an emphasis in Delaware’s Quaint Villages on combining quality food and drink. 33 West Ale House & Grill in Dover had one of my favorite meals, a local beer with the spicy edamame and pork belly banh mi. This community favorite is lively on weeknights for their drink menu with many local beers, creative entrees, and weekly specials like discounted wine and tacos.
easySpeak Spirits, a spin on the name speakeasy, in Milford is equal parts distillery, brewpub, and restaurant. The menu includes craft cocktails made with in-house liquors, wings, sandwiches, and pizzas. Try their unique creations like grapefruit vodka and pretzel bites on the patio that hosts live music. Marissa and her crew treated me like royalty!
And when you need a jolt like I do at least twice a day, I was glad to discover The House of Coffi in Dover while out shopping. This cute coffee shop serves artisan sandwiches and, of course, coffee drinks. Sit on the outdoor patio or in the art-filled gallery space with an iced coffee.
Family-run Fifer Country Store & Orchards in the small town of Camden Wyoming in Amish country is where you go for fresh produce and apple cider donuts. You’ll see apple trees on the drive in, but they also grow peaches, strawberries, sweet corn, asparagus, and pumpkins.
Where to Drink
I didn’t know that Delaware even had breweries before researching my trip, but left with a new appreciation for the small but mighty state’s selections. Everyone knows Dogfish Head, but I think that the breweries of Delaware’s Quaint Villages rival it. There are also distilleries and wineries, which you can check off on the self-guided Good Libations Tour.
I first visited Blue Earl Brewing Company in Smyrna. Inspired by jazz music, Blue Earl has a tasting room open Wednesday to Sunday for samples and live music. They also host community events like festivals and 5K races. Their Uptown Juice was a juicy IPA that is refreshing.
Over at Mispillion River Brewing in Milford, I became instant BFFs with Lauren, the taproom manager, who is as passionate about good beer as I am. This funky brewery has the most unique creations in the state like a lactose beer and my favorite, Ride the Currant, a sour porter.
What to See and Do
Delaware’s Quaint Villages offer many things to see and do, from nature to history, from the founding of America to the Underground Railroad. There’s also geocaching, kayaking, and other outdoor pursuits.
I explored Smyrna’s Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, a sprawling park popular with bird lovers. The 16,000 acres of trails and nature viewing platforms are set up in a loop, so it’s easy to get out and explore since none of the trails are more than a mile long. Be sure to bring long pants and mosquito repellent.
Another place to wander is Abbott’s Mill Nature Center of Delaware Nature Society in Milford. Matt, an educator at the facility, led me around a small portion of the over 100 acres of trails at this formerly private land that surrounds a 200-year-old grist mill. There’s a wheelchair-friendly boardwalk and free admission to educational events.
I also had the chance to explore the Mispillion River by kayak with Delaware River Adventures, a new company in Milford that operates out of a tattoo shop (maybe I should have gotten one!). You can borrow a kayak for $30 for two hours and launch from a number of points, even going all the way to the coast. I ended up seeing a sunken ship on my journey.
There’s also plenty of history in the First State. One of my first stops on my trip was to the Air Mobility Command Museum next to Dover Air Force Base. I’ve lived near two air force bases in my life, in Marietta and Charleston, so I felt somewhat at home hearing planes overhead.
Don, a veteran himself, led me around the museum, which has indoor and outdoor displays of historic aircraft. Some were built in my hometown, but there was also one that served as Air Force Two and others from D-Day and Vietnam.
I then roamed the halls of permanent and special exhibits, including decorative arts, home furnishings, paintings, and photography from artists connected with Delaware at the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover. I always try to visit art museums on my travels and this was well worth it.
Next time I’d like to further explore the First State Heritage Park in Dover, which is home to the Old State House, has a stop along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad driving tour, and the Johnson Victrola Museum, named for the creator of the Victrola, a Delaware native.
Where to Shop
Did you know that Delaware doesn’t have a sales tax? Me neither! But I was glad to find out when browsing the boutiques in Dover or the galleries of Milford. I started at Spence’s Bazaar & Flea Market and Amish Market in Dover, which is a unique experience.
I had a tasty breakfast sandwich from the Amish vendors before wandering the aisles of the eclectic market. I loved the furniture, vintage records, clothing, antiques, and everything in between, but opted against purchasing because I hadn’t brought a bigger suitcase.
Downtown Dover also has cute boutiques. Bel Boutique had some of my favorite brands, including jewelry, clothing, and gifts from Swell, Alex and Ani, Sugarfina, and Baggu. I browsed for swimsuits, sundresses, and sandals at BLUvintage and checked out My Roots, Forney’s Too Ltd., and Delaware Store.
In Milford, I also noticed the Art on the Riverwalk, art installations of boats, each designed differently by a local artist. The town has a number of galleries and shops where you can purchase something for your home, including Gallery 37, Mispillion Art League, and Milford Antiques & Friends.
Where to Stay
There were all sorts of options in Delaware’s Quaint Villages in terms of where to stay, from hotels to campsites. But I stayed at Home2 Suites by Hilton Dover, DE, which was well located near downtown Dover and the highway with kitchenettes, free daily breakfast, a swimming pool and fitness center, laundry facilities, and free parking. The hotel left me well rested and ready to explore!
On future visits, I might try my luck at one of the nearby casino hotels, stay in a bed and breakfast or historic inn, or even “rough it” at a state park campsite.
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My stay in Kent County was hosted by Kent County Tourism Corporation.
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